Security forces on Monday foiled an attempt by terrorists to take hostage the personnel of a police station in Bannu, killing both the terrorists and rescuing eight personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP).
District Police Officer Waqar Khan told Pakistan Today that two burqa-clad suicide bombers entered the building of Old City Police Station on Monday morning at around 9:15am. They opened fire on the security guard manning the main gate and forced their entry into the police station, hurling hand grenades all around and taking the personnel inside hostage. Later, joint forces of security agencies rushed to the site and cordoned off the building.
After a brief encounter, both the suicide bombers were shot dead and three policemen injured in the clash.
The DPO said four police personnel had been detained in connection with the incident and were being interrogated. A civilian was also being interrogated as he was present inside the police building at the time of the attack, Khan said. The three policemen injured included an assistant sub inspector.
The DPO said the building had been cleared and the situation was under control. No one has claimed responsibility for attack so far, but officials believed the involvement of Taliban. Thousands of local and foreign militants have taken shelter in North Waziristan Agency, adjacent to Bannu city. The militants earlier attacked the Bannu Central Jail on April 15 and got freed more than 380 prisoners, included more than 150 hardcore terrorists. Adnan Rashid, sentenced to death for a failed attempt on the life of former president Pervez Musharraf included the escapees.
